Cardiac rehabilitation, or cardiac rehab for short, is a program run by healthcare professionals designed to help you recover after a heart event, procedure or diagnosis. Attending a cardiac rehab program involves receiving relevant information and exploring ways to exercise safely. It will help you make positive heart-healthy changes and lower your risk of having heart problems in the future.
Depending on where you live, you can attend cardiac rehab face-to-face (in a hospital, community centre, clinic etc.) or over the phone or internet (in your own home). Many cardiac rehab programs let you involve your family or support person, helping them to better understand your condition and how they can support you.
Participating in cardiac rehab can help you:
Cardiac rehab is designed for people who have recently had:
Each program is different, often with their own area of specialty. For example, some programs can support people with atrial fibrillation while others don’t.
Speak with your doctor or healthcare professional about the best program for you. They can also provide you with other options if you don’t have a cardiac rehab program near you or can't attend one.
It may be difficult to start cardiac rehab when you're not feeling well physically or mentally, but there are many benefits of starting cardiac rehab soon after a heart event or diagnosis. Remember, staff are there for your safety and to support you and your long-term health and wellbeing.
Ideally, you should start cardiac rehab a few weeks after you leave hospital. Don’t worry if you’ve been out of hospital for longer than this, you can still benefit from cardiac rehab.
When deciding on your start date, the cardiac rehab staff will consider your heart condition and medical history.
You can also contact a cardiac rehab service yourself. To find one close to you, use the Heart Foundation’s Cardiac Services Directory.
Last updated17 July 2024
